People love movies. That love has existed since the advent of motion pictures, but the pandemic has only made us appreciate good flicks even more.

If anything, our need to be told riveting stories has never been more apparent.

More and more people explore filmmaking every day, looking to tell their story through a lens.

For these people, taking a filmmaking course can jump-start a new passion or maybe even a career.

So grab that popcorn and take a seat for our picks of the Top 25 Best Filmmaking Courses of 2022, both free or paid.

The Top 25 Filmmaking Courses of 2022 (Free & Premium)

• Cinematography Masterclass: The Complete Videography Guide — From $13.99 (Editor’s Choice)
• Filmmaking For All: Tell Your Story Through Video — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass — $14.99
• Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film — $14.99
• Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass —$14.99
• Start Your Filmmaking Career: A Video Production Course — $13.99
• How To Make A Living Making Films: Business Of Filmmaking — $13.99
• Cinematography with Natural Light — $14.9
• Filming for Beginners — $10.99
• Directing Experimental Short Films — $12.99
• Getting Your Film off the Ground — Free
• DSLR Filmmaking: From Beginner to PRO! — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• DIY Cinematography: Make Your Video Look Like a Movie — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Comedy Filmmaking: Make Your Low-Budget Videos 100% Funnier — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Storytelling in Film: Using Cinematography to Convey Emotion — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Filmmaking on a Budget: Tips for Achieving a Cinematic Look — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Video Production – The Complete Filmmaking Course — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Filming Scene Transitions: Creative Techniques on a Budget — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Low Budget Filmmaking — Tips and Tricks for an Indie Look — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• From Intermediate to Advanced Filmmaker: 7 Things You Need to Know — Free 2 week trial then $10/month
• Guerilla Filmmaking — $14
• Produce And Create An Impactful Interview — $14
• iPhone Filmmaking: From Shoot Through Edit — $14
• The Art of Filmmaking and Editing — $44
• 1 Person Crew Video Productions: 2 The Cinematic Look — Free 2 week trial then $10/month

The Top 25 Cinematography & Filmmaking Courses of 2022

 

Cinematography Masterclass: The Complete Videography Guide (Editor’s Choice)

Starting this list is one of Udemy’s bestsellers in the segment. Artfully called Cinematography Masterclass: The Complete Videography Guide, this course is spearheaded by LA-based film director and instructor Julian Melanson. Packed with over 6 hours of recorded lectures and 8 downloadable resources, this pick is one of the most comprehensive courses beginners will want to take. Melanson has now also taught over a hundred thousand students collectively, ensuring that this media man is someone people trust. But don’t take our word for it—let his 4.5-star rating help do the talking.

In this course, the instructor will be explaining in detail the step-by-step process of shooting amazing and attractive videos. You will get to understand how to shotlist, frame, shoot, work with lighting, and capture crystal clear audio on a deeper level. With this course, you’ll be able to expand your creativity, improve video quality, and discover a deeper passion for videography.

 

Filmmaking For All: Tell Your Story Through Video 

With over 13,000 enrolees and counting, it’s understandable why film director Dan Mace’s Filmmaking For All: Tell Your Story Through Video is a Staff Pick. Complete with 10 quick lessons, this course should teach you how to articulate your stories your way. Learn how to tap into your inner core and find out what it means to tell a gripping narrative in no time with this course.

You can fine-tune your video-based storytelling by taking it to the next level by attending this class. 

Dan Mace makes a point that a video is the best way to pass on a story or an idea clearly to people. Dan Mace is a director and a YouTuber based in Los Angeles. He explains that video is nothing but a combination of well-executed elements.

 

Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass

Udemy’s Hollywood Film School: Filmmaking & TV Directing Masterclass is brought to you by IFH courses and reputable film director Gil Bettman. Bundled with a good 5 hours of on-demand videos, this course will walk you through the vibrant process of creating Hollywood magic. From learning how to use your camera to picking up a thing or two about production work, this class will discuss them all.

In this course, you will get to learn more about the art of making and directing movies, cinematography, and video production. You will be able to learn the basics of the filmmaking process. You will also learn to direct a short film, feature film, or any narrative content.

 

Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film

If you’re more curious about the process that takes place between writing and film distribution, this course is what you’re looking for. Created by independent film director Paul Bright, Filmmaking: Write, Direct and Distribute Your Feature Film gives you access to 19 downloadable resources and a whopping 7 hours of recorded lessons. Are you an insatiable indie film fan? If the answer is yes, then this course is definitely for you.

This course will help you learn more about writing a screenplay. With the knowledge and skills that you will learn from this course, you’ll be able to write, direct, and distribute your movie around the world. Aside from that, you’ll also learn more about lighting, camera angles, and how to edit films. 

 

Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass

If documentaries are up your alley, Udemy’s Documentary Filmmaking Masterclass by award-winning director Jonny Von Wallström is for you. Bundled with 5 hours of recorded lessons and an impressive 13 downloadable resources, this pick is one of the most immersive classes on the list. From mastering how to set the tone of your projects to learning how to release your films, Wallström’s lectures cover everything.

 

Start Your Filmmaking Career: A Video Production Course 

With over 60,000 students and counting, Udemy’s Start Your Filmmaking Career: A Video Production Course remains on top of their segment today. Created by illustrious media men Julian Melanson and Phil Ebiner, their course boasts of an impressive 4.9 instructor rating. Packed with 3 hours of substantial on-demand videos, 9 all-inclusive articles, and a ton of downloadable resources, this course is for anyone and everyone who wants to learn.

 

How To Make A Living Making Films: Business Of Filmmaking 

There aren’t a lot of filmmakers who will talk to you in detail about diversifying your income streams, but Youtube maven and videographer-extraordinaire Matt Haapoja isn’t one of them. From building an audience to networking the right way, Matt will talk to you about the cruciality of being street smart in an industry that’s filled with inherent competition. Learn to stay creative and profitable in no time with this course’s hour-long recorded lessons.

 

Cinematography with Natural Light

We all know how light is an irreplaceable character in movies. Although it feels more like an elemental presence in visual storytelling, you can bet that a film’s lighting dictates how audiences should feel too. If this is something you want to master, trust respected cinematographer Albin Sjödin to help you out. With over 3 VOD hours and 25 additional resources, this course should inspire you to create meaningful work by optimizing natural lighting.

 

Filming for Beginners

Nothing beats learning how to make amazing movies by traveling the world, so if you’re looking to gain valuable insight from a well-traveled filmmaker, Yeray Martín Perdomo is your man. In this course, the highly esteemed director of photography will not only teach you basic filming techniques, but he’ll also talk to you about how to use the DaVinci Resolve color editing and correction program to better give your output the clean and professional finish it deserves.

Directing Experimental Short Films

While there is no formula for creative breakthroughs, director and producer Jiajie Yu Yan is a prime example of how discipline and respecting a process can work to your advantage. Arguably one of the most talented conceptual film directors today, Jiajie’s class is a powerful bestseller, garnering him, even, a 98% positive review standing. If the independent cinema aesthetic is what inspires you, you should take this class!

 

Getting Your Film off the Ground 

Making a film is one thing, but marketing it all together is an entirely different beast. Brought to audiences by Michigan State University, this Coursera class is led by award-winning filmmaker Alexandra Hidalgo. Learn what it takes to persuade people to watch your films, and effortlessly pick up more than a thing or two about producing thought-provoking documentaries in this class.

 

DSLR Filmmaking: From Beginner to PRO!

Skillshare’s DSLR Filmmaking: From Beginner to PRO! Is an awesome choice for, well, beginners. Taught by top teacher Jordy Vandeput, this course is bundled with several hours of VOD and quizzes, ensuring that enrollees are treated only to substantial lessons. Do you already have a DSLR lying around your home? If you do, this course is for you.

 

DIY Cinematography: Make Your Video Look Like a Movie 

Here’s a course for intermediate learners. Led by multi-hyphenated cinematographer Ryan Booth, this course will teach you how to shoot and produce films with soul, depth, and creative direction. From commercials to documentaries, learn how to create cinematic motion pictures through this VOD.

 

Comedy Filmmaking: Make Your Low-Budget Videos 100% Funnier 

Pull back the curtain on the mysteries of comedy with this Skillshare original. Produced by the learning platform itself, let award-winning comedy extraordinaire Amber Schaefer run you through the basics of writing, producing, and executing comedic film projects. From defining what comedy is to sharing her secrets on editing and cinematography, Amber’s is sure to entertain you as you learn.

 

Storytelling in Film: Using Cinematography to Convey Emotion 

Emotion is an integral aspect of any movie. So if you plan on producing your very first feature any time soon, you’re going to want to make sure the narratives you produce are anchored to the soul. Learn all that and more from Skillshare’s Storytelling in Film: Using Cinematography to Convey Emotion. Led by Director of Photography Joe Simon, this course will teach you all that you need to learn about framing, composition, camera movement, and more!

 

Filmmaking on a Budget: Tips for Achieving a Cinematic Look 

If you’re new to the film scene, there’s a massive chance your budget for producing your first feature is limited. Thankfully, courses like Filmmaking on a Budget: Tips for Achieving a Cinematic Look are here to help. Taught by filmmaker and producer Simon Cade, you’re sure to pick up more than the basics of how to maximize your resources.

 

Video Production – The Complete Filmmaking Course 

One of the more extensive picks on the list is Skillshare’s Video Production – The Complete Filmmaking Course. Featuring Phil Ebiner and his equally expert friends, this pick will help you build a more substantial foundation on your understanding of production work. Flesh out your ideas, shoot amazing footage, and profit from a Youtube channel—learn all that and so much more from this course.

 

Filming Scene Transitions: Creative Techniques on a Budget 

Another great pick that tackles the endless possibilities of shooting with a budget is Filming Scene Transitions: Creative Techniques on a Budget from Skillshare. Led by all-around film maven Matty Brown, this course will walk you through shooting strategies and editing techniques. With nearly an hour of recorded lessons, you’re sure to pick up more than a valuable thing or two about cinematography principles.

 

Low Budget Filmmaking — Tips and Tricks for an Indie Look 

Indie films carry a distinct tone and feel that mainstream movies don’t. If you’re curious how experienced filmmakers pull off this kind of energy, you’re going to want to experience this Matty Brown course. Bundled with 6 recorded lessons, this course is meatily concise.

 

From Intermediate to Advanced Filmmaker: 7 Things You Need to Know 

From Intermediate to Advanced Filmmaker: 7 Things You Need to Know is taught by Top Teacher Dandan Liu. Available also on Skillshare, this course is a Staff Pick for a reason. From learning how to shoot long takes to understanding the magic of sound recording, this class will teach you all about the technical fluff you’ll want to master to tell a good tale. This is a must-watch for all intermediate film learners!

 

Guerilla Filmmaking 

If you’re looking for a complete filmmaking course experience, filmmaker Ryan Connolly’s Guerilla Filmmaking is what you need. With over 40 video lessons, an immersive 15 hours, and exclusive bonus content, this pick is everything and more on so many levels! Learn how to write, cast, shoot, and edit with this CreativeLive find.

 

Produce And Create An Impactful Interview 

Tons of good film projects include impactful interviews. If this is the route you’re headed, allow Produce And Create An Impactful Interview by media man Abba Shapiro to blow your mind. Complete with 14 video lessons and nearly 3 hours of great informative content, there’s a ton you’re going to learn from this CreativeLive course.

 

iPhone Filmmaking: From Shoot Through Edit 

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need expensive professional cameras to shoot your movies. If filming with your phone is something you’re not confident about, let CreativeLive’s iPhone Filmmaking: From Shoot Through Edit change your mind. Taught by San Francisco-based creative Cielo de la Paz, this pick features 19 video lessons worth 3 hours of meaningful content.

 

The Art of Filmmaking and Editing 

Taught by reputable filmmakers Jed Medford and Ross Hockrow, CreativeLive’s The Art of Filmmaking and Editing is just as worthy a contender as every other pick on this list. Featuring over 20 video lessons and 15 hours of educational content, there’s a lot in store for the eager film learner with this find. From storytelling techniques to gear discussions, this class has it all!

 

1 Person Crew Video Productions: 2 The Cinematic Look 

Working solo? Don’t worry! Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Eduardo Angel knows exactly how it feels to work on film projects alone. He discusses all that and more in LinkedIn Learning’s 1 Person Crew Video Productions: 2 The Cinematic Look. If you don’t have access to a professional crew just yet, don’t be afraid to test the waters yourself. Soon enough, you’ll learn all the ropes you need to. For now, you can learn from this course!

 

The Top 25 Filmmaking Courses & Classes of 2022

Overall, the digital space is filled with awesome filmmaking classes any enthusiast will benefit from. At the end of the day, the best class for you is one that you enjoy learning from. All that said, we hope that our roundup of the best 25+ filmmaking courses of 2022 has helped you streamline which picks to experience first!

Good luck and stay creative!